COMMUNITY FORUM

Cost of installing door

I have a small terrace with a 28" door. It needs to be replaced. A carpenter quoted me $400 to install it. Is this reasonable? I think its way too high, but don't know what the rates are for such jobs.

Unfortunatly that's about right,actually it's a pretty good price if he's going to furnish the door and all the materials to install it, going by what everything cost these days.(As long as he's a genuine bonafied carpenter and not a handyman). I know it sucks I sure wouldn't pay it,but luckily I'm still physically able to do things like that myself.

No, that 400 is only for the labor i have to supply everything else...that should take i think about 2 hours at the most...geesh a $100 dollars an hour? He is a licensed carpenter. I am a senior and cannot lift the door as i was able in my youth.

The going rate in Chicago for good carpenters (with plenty of experience) is $50 to $65 per hours, so that sounds high. Perhaps it's because he has a minimum fee for coming out to do the job? Ask for more details and perhaps he will come down on the price or schedule it when he has other jobs to do nearby (so that you can receive a discount). Will he have to redo any of the framing around the door? That could increase the cost.

I agree with Allison. I've been replacing windows in Baltimore for about 5 years now and we established a minimum rate for estimates and labor. It's a little under the $100/hour figure he's offering, so if that helps you determine the rate. I would investigate and see whether or not the contractor has you on a packaged rate versus basic window installation.

Good point made about time tracking the door contractor. While some contractors have a flat-rate for the entire project, those that are hourly might include a hidden charge or turn a half-hour into an hour of service. My Minnesota door replacement service went the flat-rate route, and it was more comfortable in the end. Hope you found the right price and that your new door's working out for you!